Certain groups are underrepresented in science, such as first- and second-generation researchers with a non-Western migration background. To improve their access to science, the Mozaïek 2.0 program exists. Another NWO program, Hestia, specifically targets academics who have fled their home country. Since this latter program will end and recently opened a final round, NWO is expanding the Mozaïek program with part of the target group of the ending Hestia program: refugee junior researchers living in the Netherlands.
NWO sees a healthy research culture as a prerequisite for world-class science. This ensures that talent has room and collaboration is encouraged. It is important that different people come together so that topics are viewed from various perspectives. This leads to new ideas and a deeper understanding of the subject. However, inequality still exists in science, and researchers with a non-Western migration background remain underrepresented overall. The PhD scholarship program Mozaïek 2.0 targets this group by financing PhD positions. As with all NWO funding instruments, the quality of research proposals is always decisive in awarding scholarships.
Besides Mozaïek, NWO also launched the Hestia – Impulse for Refugees in Science program in 2018. This NWO program offers academics who had to flee their home country the chance to participate in ongoing research projects. This way, they can build and expand a network, share their knowledge and expertise, and get to know the Dutch science system better. Upon possible return, they can continue their academic career without gaps while enriching Dutch science and society with their expertise.
Creating Space Within Mozaïek for Ending Hestia Program
Earlier, NWO decided that Mozaïek would continue in an adapted form. However, Hestia will end after 2026 and recently opened its final round, closing on March 3, 2026. Therefore, based on consultations in the field, NWO has decided to include part of the Hestia target group in the Mozaïek instrument: namely junior researchers at masters level who have not yet obtained a PhD. The target group is also expanded to researchers from Ukraine who fall under the Temporary Protection Directive. By having a separate subsidy ceiling, assessment panel, and application conditions, competition between the two target groups – researchers with a migration background and refugee researchers – is minimized in the new program setup. With this change, NWO continues to strive to provide access to a scientific career for this vulnerable group of researchers.
Towards Mozaïek 3.0
For the new Mozaïek 3.0 setup, consultations were held with external parties such as De Jonge Akademie, Promovendi Netwerk Nederland, Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF, and the National Consultation of University Diversity Officers. A survey was also conducted among Mozaïek applicants. Their knowledge and insights are of great importance in this process. In this way, NWO tries to present a renewed program that is well aligned with the field and this group of researchers. NWO received the following points of attention: awareness and reach across the entire target group, higher success rates, and better alignment of rounds with multiple graduation moments. Adjustments will be made on the last two points.
- A tightened requirement – to increase success rates – concerns the educational background of the Mozaïek target group and their connection to the Netherlands: the bachelors degree must have been obtained in the Netherlands.
- By having a later proof moment of the obtained masters degree, NWO aims to reduce the gap between graduation and awarding a scholarship.
The first round of Mozaïek 3.0 is expected to open in the second quarter of 2026.
Project leaders and principal applicants of projects funded by NWO or ZonMw can still submit an application for the fifth and final round of the Hestia - Impulse for Refugees in Science program to finance participation of an academic with refugee status. This round closes on March 3, 2026. Through Hestia, academics with refugee status in the Netherlands can build or continue their academic career and expand their network. Hestia was developed in collaboration with the KNAW, De Jonge Akademie, and the Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF.